Permanent Magnet vs. Electromagnet: What's the Difference?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the fundamental differences between permanent magnets and electromagnets. A permanent magnet maintains its magnetic field without an external power source, relying on the alignment of electron spins, while an electromagnet requires electric current through a coil to generate its magnetic field. Materials such as steel are recommended for creating permanent magnets due to their remanence, whereas soft iron is suitable for electromagnets but has low remanence. Techniques for magnetization, including the stroking method and the use of strong electromagnets, are also discussed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic materials, specifically ferromagnetic materials like steel and iron.
  • Knowledge of electromagnetism, including the principles of electric current and magnetic fields.
  • Familiarity with concepts of remanence and magnetic domains.
  • Basic physics principles related to magnetization and magnetic fields.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Ferromagnetism and magnetic domains" to understand how materials become magnetized.
  • Learn about "Electromagnet design and applications" to explore practical uses of electromagnets.
  • Investigate "Methods for creating permanent magnets" including the stroking method and other techniques.
  • Study "Quantum mechanics and atomic physics" to gain insights into the electron behavior in magnetic materials.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, hobbyists interested in magnetism, and engineers working with magnetic materials and devices.

  • #91
If Earth's North pole And Magnet North pole can repel each other, then why does not the magnet become suspended in the air due to it's own and Earth repulsion force... ?
 
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  • #92
Xidike said:
If Earth's North pole And Magnet North pole can repel each other, then why does not the magnet become suspended in the air due to it's own and Earth repulsion force... ?

Try suspending the planet above a magnet! You just need suitable strong magnet..

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/levitating-spinning-globe-07201554/

Youtube video

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #93
I'm not asking about globe.. I'm just asking about a magnet..
 
  • #94
Why don't try thinking (in conjunction with reading around) instead of asking?
 
  • #95
Troll alert! Dude is 20 Years old according to his profile.
 
  • #96
Not fourteen?
 
  • #97
Probably time to close this thread?
 
  • #98
Yes please Mods.
 
  • #99
I third that motion

its just becoming very tiring trying to help someone who apparently doesn't seem to want to help him/herself

Mods, please do the honor

Dave
 
  • #100
How can you say that I myself can't want to learn ? Mein learn he to kar raha hon..
 
  • #101
Why Does the needle of Compass always points towards the North pole ?
 
  • #102
Xidike said:
Why Does the needle of Compass always points towards the North pole ?

because the other end always points to the south pole ... ;)

Dave
 
  • #103
Xidike said:
Why Does the needle of Compass always points towards the North pole ?

Which way should it point? Is there something wrong?
 
  • #104
Same sign repulsion and different sign attraction doesn't explain WHY.
That can be the main problem here. No one is giving a nice answer.
A nice Mechanistic would ask for a mechanic model that can explain magnet properties. Instead of that Magnetic phenomena are explain as a quasi magic force.
 
  • #105
When a magnet is broken into pieces, each piece is found to be a magnet with two poles.

image003.jpg


N===============S
N======S N======S


Why Does this Happens If We Broke Only South Pole then Why Does it is Automatically Converted To Both South And North Pole ?
 
  • #106
Sedilclue said:
Same sign repulsion and different sign attraction doesn't explain WHY.
That can be the main problem here. No one is giving a nice answer.
A nice Mechanistic would ask for a mechanic model that can explain magnet properties. Instead of that Magnetic phenomena are explain as a quasi magic force.

In 100+ posts there have been 'nice answers', 'easy answers', 'academic answers' and others. Unfortunately none has proved to be satisfactory.

In as far as it can't be explained without resorting to a force which cannot be seen then it could be looked upon as "quasi magic". There is not a 'mechanical' answer to the question any more than there is a 'mechanical' answer to why this table is solid. Why expect things to have answers that are easy and accurate at the same time?
 
  • #107
When a magnet is broken into pieces, each piece is found to be a magnet with two poles.

image003.jpg


N===============S
N======S N======S


Why Does this Happens If We Broke Only South Pole then Why Does it is Automatically Converted To Both South And North Pole ?
 
  • #108
Those other poles were there all along.
 
  • #109
Xidike said:
When a magnet is broken into pieces, each piece is found to be a magnet with two poles.

image003.jpg


N===============S
N======S N======S


Why Does this Happens If We Broke Only South Pole then Why Does it is Automatically Converted To Both South And North Pole ?

You can view the top single bar magnet as made up of lots and lots of tiny small magnets
creating an overall large bar magnet

D
 
  • #110
Why Does Magnet Become Demagnetized On Heating ??
 
  • #111
davenn said:
You can view the top single bar magnet as made up of lots and lots of tiny small magnets
creating an overall large bar magnet

D

How does the tiny small magnets form north pole at one end and the same tiny small magnets form south pole at other end ? Very odd .. huh..
 
  • #112
Xidike said:
How does the tiny small magnets form north pole at one end and the same tiny small magnets form south pole at other end ? Very odd .. huh..

nope, not odd at all.

the individual "particles" of iron that make up the magnet each have their own magnetic dipoles ( N and S) that when all combined and all aligned the same way, make up an overall larger magnet

and to answer your other Q about heat.
Excessive heat ( when the Curie Point) is reached, that alignment gets disrupted and the magnetic field can be weakened or even totally destroyed.

Dave
 
  • #113
It's "very odd" that you are still asking these questions. I can hardly believe Xidike is real. You are failing the Turing test, I think.
 
  • #114
davenn said:
nope, not odd at all.

the individual "particles" of iron that make up the magnet each have their own magnetic dipoles ( N and S) that when all combined and all aligned the same way, make up an overall larger magnet

and to answer your other Q about heat.
Excessive heat ( when the Curie Point) is reached, that alignment gets disrupted and the magnetic field can be weakened or even totally destroyed.

Dave

minor nitpick: the Curie point is a phase transition same as boiling or freezing. Its either all ferromagnetic, or its not.
 
  • #115
chill_factor said:
minor nitpick: the Curie point is a phase transition same as boiling or freezing. Its either all ferromagnetic, or its not.

Phase transitions are at a fixed temperature for pure substances but, in many mixtures, the transition can be over a wide range of temperatures - consider what happens in engine coolant mixtures. I would expect the same to apply to magnetic materials.
 
  • #116
Can magnetic lines of forces be seen ??
 
  • #117
Yes. When they vibrate at optical frequencies.
 
  • #118
sophiecentaur said:
Yes. When they vibrate at optical frequencies.

yup or indirectly when you place a bar magnet under a sheet of paper and sprinkle iron filings over the paper they will display the field lines :)

Dave

PS thanks for the backup, sophiecentaur
 
  • #119
I've given up on giving sensible answers. Looking at this guy's personal profile, I would suspect he's playing with an AI program for his contributions to this thread. He'll be asking whether magnetism ever affected your relations with your Mother next.
 
  • #120
if a conductor is placed in magnetic field then How can magnet cause the flow of current in that conductor ?
 

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